Immediate Effects of Neural Slider and Neural Tensioner on Forward Bending in Subjects with Hamstring Tightness

Immediate Effects of Neural Slider and Neural Tensioner on Forward Bending in Subjects with Hamstring Tightness

Background Two different neurodynamic techniques have been suggested: (i) the slider (ii) the tensioner. However, the effects of slider and tensioner on hamstring flexibility during forward bending have not been directly compared. Purpose This study aimed to compare the immediate effects of slider and tensioner on forward bending in asymptomatic subjects with hamstring tightness. Study design Two groups pre- and post-test design Methods Twenty male subjects with hamstring tightness participated in this study. The subjects were randomly allocated to the slider and tensioner groups, consisting of 10 participants each. To measure hip and lumbar flexion during forward bending, a smart motion sensor was employed. The paired t-test was applied to compare pre- and post-intervention within each group. The independent t-test was used to compare the hip and lumbar flexion angles between the two groups. Results Intragroup comparison found that the slider group had a significant increase in hip flexion range of motion at post-intervention. Intergroup comparison found a significant greater change in hip flexion range of motion between pre- and post-intervention in slider group. Conclusions Based on the results of this study, it was found that sliders are more effective than tensioners in enhancing hamstring flexibility during forward bending in subjects with hamstring tightness.